Regina: I normally do not post the second chapter of a story until I get at
least one review. And now that I have (thank you, Kaylessa!) I can now do
that. The no review thing is why I haven't written any more of the Stargate
story I have wanted to write for ages. Anyway, Kaylessa, you asked if Aubry
was based on anyone, and now that I think about it, I don't think so. I
suppose in a way, she's like Hermione, but not stuck up, a female Percy,
but with no stick up her butt, or maybe a female version of Charlie: great
at everything, but doesn't rub it in. Same with Bill. Anyway, I'll just get
on with the chapter.
I own squat. If you sue, that's what you'll get.
Oh, and before I forget, I'll be calling Professor Derild by Aubretia, as she is a lot younger than all the other teachers (you'll find out by how much later on) and would object to that.
Harry Potter
and the Casket of Souls
Chapter Two: Lessons
None of them said a word until they were back at the Gryffindor Common Room. It was Hermione who was the first to speak. "Aubry's the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher?"
"Not Aubry," said Ron, his voice high and squeaky. "Professor Derild."
"Why didn't she tell us?"
"Maybe she didn't want to," suggested Hermione.
"Why would she do that?" asked Ron. Harry shrugged his shoulders.
Everything went silent again, until Dean said, "Have you seen our timetables? We've got Potions with the Slytherins again."
"Again?" moaned Ron. "Why us?!"
"We've got Defence Against the Dark Arts with them, too," Seamus added.
"That'll be interesting," Hermione said thoughtfully.
"Why us?!" Ron moaned again. Then: "Huh? Why will that be interesting?"
"Well, you know how much Malfoy dislikes Muggle-borns like me," Hermione began carefully, but she did not get to finish.
"And Professor Derild is part Muggle!" Ron finished happily. "Oh, I can't wait until we have Defence Against the Dark Arts!"
"You won't be waiting long," Harry replied. "We have that class first."
"Hey, Harry," began Seamus, trailing away from the original conversation. "Would it be wrong to hang this up over my bed?"
"Depends on what it is."
"This." Seamus was holding up the poster of the captain of the Holyhead Harpies Quidditch team, which had been taken from the most recent issue of 'Which Broomstick?', and had been the topic of conversation at the Great Hall feast - prior to the announcement of the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. And the woman in the poster was none other than Aubretia Derild - also known as Professor Derild of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
"I don't think that is a good idea," Hermione said. "Who knows what the other teachers will think of it, even if it doesn't bother Professor Derild herself."
Ron didn't have a problem with that. "Is that her broom? A Firebolt?" Seamus nodded.
Hermione made a sound of annoyance. "Honestly!" With that she walked away, heading up to her own dormitory.
"Okay, so I can't put this up over my bed. But do you think she'll sign it?"
*
"Welcome to Defence Against the Dark Arts. I am your new teacher, Professor Derild." Aubretia leaned against her desk, surveying the class with her blue eyes. "Now, I know what you're all thinking-"
"You do?" burst Seamus, going bright red.
Aubretia blinked with surprise. "Okay, I did not expect that. Let's try that again. I know a lot of you must be thinking that I am awfully young and probably too inexperienced to be doing this sort of job, and I hope that I will be able to sway you from that school of thought." She looked around the classroom, her eyes coming to rest on Harry. "I also know that you have not had great experiences with your previous teachers. Correct me if I'm wrong, but having five different teachers in five years cannot be good for you." There was laughter from the Gryffindor half of the classroom.
Aubretia smiled. "Good, I got some laughs. That's always a good sign. Now, let me introduce myself. I am Aubretia Derild, I'm 25, I'm a Virgo, and before this job I was living in Wales. I was educated at this school, and I was in Ravenclaw house. I enjoy long walks at night, Honeydukes chocolate, and a good game of Quidditch. My dislikes include people who cheat at Quidditch - especially when it's the Chasers, who do things like Stooging and Haversacking - magical folk who are intolerant of Muggles, and Professor Snape." This time there were howls of laughter from the Gryffindor side, but the Slytherins seemed less than amused.
"But let's get serious." Aubretia's blue eyes flashed. "I know most of you think that I am just a Quidditch player, but I can assure you, that I am more than qualified for this job. I will not tolerate anyone who does not take the idea of defending oneself against dark forces that are out there seriously. And trust me, in this time, in this darkness, there is evil out there that will try and destroy you. No matter who you are, or what side you are on." She looked at Malfoy, who was grinning at Harry. "Understand?"
The class nodded.
Aubretia smiled. "All right then. Let's get to work. I want to see what you know."
*
"Well, that was an interesting first day of classes," remarked Ron, as he, Harry and Hermione walked from their last class, Care of Magical Creatures, back to the Gryffindor Common Room.
Harry nodded in agreement. "What did you think of Professor Derild's first class?"
"I thought it was pretty good," Hermione answered. "You could tell she was nervous, but she did pretty well."
"Pretty well?" repeated Ron. 'That was one of the best lessons we've had since our fourth year! Right, Harry?"
Harry nodded again. "Ron's right." Ron looked smug at this. "But she was nervous." At this comment it was Hermione's turn to look smug.
As they continued walking, Harry realised something. "Isn't this Professor Derild's office?" He gestured to a closed door, behind which could be heard an array of interesting sounds, and many coloured lights could be seen escaping through the crack between the door and the floor.
Suddenly the door flung open, and Aubretia, eyes shining, spotted the three. "Ah, Harry!" she called. "Would you like to give me a hand? House points are yours if you do!"
Harry looked at his friends, who nodded. "All right, Professor."
Aubretia smiled. "Thanks, Harry!" She moved so that Harry could enter her office, and she closed the door behind both of them.
The sight that greeted Harry was of a person busy on moving day. There were a number of trunks, some open and spilling contents everywhere.
"Sorry to drag you into this, Harry," said Aubretia, coming up behind Harry, "but I need a hand. Besides, it means I have the chance to get to know you better."
"What do you want?"
"Well, Harry, as you know, there have been many people using this office over the years, and so I need help cleaning it all out," Aubretia replied.
"But I thought Professor Umbridge took all her things with her when she left," replied Harry, confused.
"Her things may have gone, but traces of her magic still remain." Noting that Harry had no clue as to what she meant, she began to explain. "You see, Harry, every piece of magical working leaves a trace of its creator. After a while, the magic builds up, and it can become difficult to work magic, especially when the types of magic come into conflict." Suddenly she whipped out her wand, pointed it at a corner, and released a wave of light. She smiled. "That's how you do a magical spring clean," she finished. "Now do you want to give me a hand?"
Harry nodded. "But how will I know where the magic is?"
"Oh! Silly me. It's a simple enough spell - at least, on paper it is. May I have your glasses for a moment? I'll give them right back."
Harry took off his glasses, and placed them in her hand. "Now what you do Harry is, point your wand at the glasses, and say, 'video'. Easy as pie!" She gave Harry back the glasses, and when he put them on, the world looked completely different. The room shimmered with colour, some of them so bright he had to look away for a moment. But after a short while his eyes had adjusted, and he could see the colour quite clearly.
"Neat, huh?" asked Aubretia. Harry nodded. "The spell I cast on your glasses is temporary, and by tomorrow morning everything will be normal again."
Harry nodded, hardly hearing that. He was too excited about the new spell he had learnt. "So you just point your wand and say, 'wid -' what?"
"'Video', Harry," corrected Aubretia. "It's spelt like the Muggle word 'video', but you say it as 'widayo'. Clear as mud? Good. Now you've got to be careful with this spell, as when you cast it you need to out limits. When you say 'video' all you do is think of the limits you want to put on it."
"Limits?"
"Like strength, or how long it lasts, or what you want to see. Your one there is a mild magic seeing spell. If you put no limits on it, you will end up seeing everything - it will be like you've got x-ray glasses." Aubretia smiled. "And people would not be too happy with that."
Harry smiled in return. "Thanks! Now which magic to I get rid of? There are so many different colours."
"We'll start by getting rid of Professor Umbridge. What colour do you think reflects her personality?"
Harry looked around the room, then knew. "That one," he said, pointing his wand a dull greyish-pink colour.
"Good, now get rid of it!"
Harry did just that. Then a question popped into his head. "Which colour is yours?"
"Well, Harry, see if you can guess."
Harry looked about. "I can't see anything."
"Look closer."
Suddenly he saw a wisp of colour hiding in a corner. It was the same blue as Aubretia's eyes, and the same as something else Harry could not quite remember. "That one!"
Aubretia nodded. "Good. Remus said you were a quick learner."
Harry's head snapped around. "You know Professor Lupin?"
"Yes."
"How? Are you -"
"In the Order? Yes. That's why I took this job."
"Did you -"
"Yes. I knew Sirius. He was a great man." Aubretia looked away from Harry. "I've been keeping you too long. Ten - no, fifteen points will be given for Gryffindor in return for this. Thank you, Harry. See you in class tomorrow."
"But-" began Harry, but Aubretia cut him off.
"Go back to your friends. I'll speak to you again another time."
Harry gave up trying to reason with his obviously stubborn teacher. "All right." He began to leave the room.
As his had touched the door, Harry heard Aubretia say, "Wait a moment, Harry." He turned to see her point her wand at one of the trunks. "Accio!" she ordered, and a book flew towards her. "You might like to read this in your spare time. You might find it interesting." She handed the book to Harry. "Now, go."
Harry went.
I own squat. If you sue, that's what you'll get.
Oh, and before I forget, I'll be calling Professor Derild by Aubretia, as she is a lot younger than all the other teachers (you'll find out by how much later on) and would object to that.
Harry Potter
and the Casket of Souls
Chapter Two: Lessons
None of them said a word until they were back at the Gryffindor Common Room. It was Hermione who was the first to speak. "Aubry's the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher?"
"Not Aubry," said Ron, his voice high and squeaky. "Professor Derild."
"Why didn't she tell us?"
"Maybe she didn't want to," suggested Hermione.
"Why would she do that?" asked Ron. Harry shrugged his shoulders.
Everything went silent again, until Dean said, "Have you seen our timetables? We've got Potions with the Slytherins again."
"Again?" moaned Ron. "Why us?!"
"We've got Defence Against the Dark Arts with them, too," Seamus added.
"That'll be interesting," Hermione said thoughtfully.
"Why us?!" Ron moaned again. Then: "Huh? Why will that be interesting?"
"Well, you know how much Malfoy dislikes Muggle-borns like me," Hermione began carefully, but she did not get to finish.
"And Professor Derild is part Muggle!" Ron finished happily. "Oh, I can't wait until we have Defence Against the Dark Arts!"
"You won't be waiting long," Harry replied. "We have that class first."
"Hey, Harry," began Seamus, trailing away from the original conversation. "Would it be wrong to hang this up over my bed?"
"Depends on what it is."
"This." Seamus was holding up the poster of the captain of the Holyhead Harpies Quidditch team, which had been taken from the most recent issue of 'Which Broomstick?', and had been the topic of conversation at the Great Hall feast - prior to the announcement of the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. And the woman in the poster was none other than Aubretia Derild - also known as Professor Derild of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
"I don't think that is a good idea," Hermione said. "Who knows what the other teachers will think of it, even if it doesn't bother Professor Derild herself."
Ron didn't have a problem with that. "Is that her broom? A Firebolt?" Seamus nodded.
Hermione made a sound of annoyance. "Honestly!" With that she walked away, heading up to her own dormitory.
"Okay, so I can't put this up over my bed. But do you think she'll sign it?"
*
"Welcome to Defence Against the Dark Arts. I am your new teacher, Professor Derild." Aubretia leaned against her desk, surveying the class with her blue eyes. "Now, I know what you're all thinking-"
"You do?" burst Seamus, going bright red.
Aubretia blinked with surprise. "Okay, I did not expect that. Let's try that again. I know a lot of you must be thinking that I am awfully young and probably too inexperienced to be doing this sort of job, and I hope that I will be able to sway you from that school of thought." She looked around the classroom, her eyes coming to rest on Harry. "I also know that you have not had great experiences with your previous teachers. Correct me if I'm wrong, but having five different teachers in five years cannot be good for you." There was laughter from the Gryffindor half of the classroom.
Aubretia smiled. "Good, I got some laughs. That's always a good sign. Now, let me introduce myself. I am Aubretia Derild, I'm 25, I'm a Virgo, and before this job I was living in Wales. I was educated at this school, and I was in Ravenclaw house. I enjoy long walks at night, Honeydukes chocolate, and a good game of Quidditch. My dislikes include people who cheat at Quidditch - especially when it's the Chasers, who do things like Stooging and Haversacking - magical folk who are intolerant of Muggles, and Professor Snape." This time there were howls of laughter from the Gryffindor side, but the Slytherins seemed less than amused.
"But let's get serious." Aubretia's blue eyes flashed. "I know most of you think that I am just a Quidditch player, but I can assure you, that I am more than qualified for this job. I will not tolerate anyone who does not take the idea of defending oneself against dark forces that are out there seriously. And trust me, in this time, in this darkness, there is evil out there that will try and destroy you. No matter who you are, or what side you are on." She looked at Malfoy, who was grinning at Harry. "Understand?"
The class nodded.
Aubretia smiled. "All right then. Let's get to work. I want to see what you know."
*
"Well, that was an interesting first day of classes," remarked Ron, as he, Harry and Hermione walked from their last class, Care of Magical Creatures, back to the Gryffindor Common Room.
Harry nodded in agreement. "What did you think of Professor Derild's first class?"
"I thought it was pretty good," Hermione answered. "You could tell she was nervous, but she did pretty well."
"Pretty well?" repeated Ron. 'That was one of the best lessons we've had since our fourth year! Right, Harry?"
Harry nodded again. "Ron's right." Ron looked smug at this. "But she was nervous." At this comment it was Hermione's turn to look smug.
As they continued walking, Harry realised something. "Isn't this Professor Derild's office?" He gestured to a closed door, behind which could be heard an array of interesting sounds, and many coloured lights could be seen escaping through the crack between the door and the floor.
Suddenly the door flung open, and Aubretia, eyes shining, spotted the three. "Ah, Harry!" she called. "Would you like to give me a hand? House points are yours if you do!"
Harry looked at his friends, who nodded. "All right, Professor."
Aubretia smiled. "Thanks, Harry!" She moved so that Harry could enter her office, and she closed the door behind both of them.
The sight that greeted Harry was of a person busy on moving day. There were a number of trunks, some open and spilling contents everywhere.
"Sorry to drag you into this, Harry," said Aubretia, coming up behind Harry, "but I need a hand. Besides, it means I have the chance to get to know you better."
"What do you want?"
"Well, Harry, as you know, there have been many people using this office over the years, and so I need help cleaning it all out," Aubretia replied.
"But I thought Professor Umbridge took all her things with her when she left," replied Harry, confused.
"Her things may have gone, but traces of her magic still remain." Noting that Harry had no clue as to what she meant, she began to explain. "You see, Harry, every piece of magical working leaves a trace of its creator. After a while, the magic builds up, and it can become difficult to work magic, especially when the types of magic come into conflict." Suddenly she whipped out her wand, pointed it at a corner, and released a wave of light. She smiled. "That's how you do a magical spring clean," she finished. "Now do you want to give me a hand?"
Harry nodded. "But how will I know where the magic is?"
"Oh! Silly me. It's a simple enough spell - at least, on paper it is. May I have your glasses for a moment? I'll give them right back."
Harry took off his glasses, and placed them in her hand. "Now what you do Harry is, point your wand at the glasses, and say, 'video'. Easy as pie!" She gave Harry back the glasses, and when he put them on, the world looked completely different. The room shimmered with colour, some of them so bright he had to look away for a moment. But after a short while his eyes had adjusted, and he could see the colour quite clearly.
"Neat, huh?" asked Aubretia. Harry nodded. "The spell I cast on your glasses is temporary, and by tomorrow morning everything will be normal again."
Harry nodded, hardly hearing that. He was too excited about the new spell he had learnt. "So you just point your wand and say, 'wid -' what?"
"'Video', Harry," corrected Aubretia. "It's spelt like the Muggle word 'video', but you say it as 'widayo'. Clear as mud? Good. Now you've got to be careful with this spell, as when you cast it you need to out limits. When you say 'video' all you do is think of the limits you want to put on it."
"Limits?"
"Like strength, or how long it lasts, or what you want to see. Your one there is a mild magic seeing spell. If you put no limits on it, you will end up seeing everything - it will be like you've got x-ray glasses." Aubretia smiled. "And people would not be too happy with that."
Harry smiled in return. "Thanks! Now which magic to I get rid of? There are so many different colours."
"We'll start by getting rid of Professor Umbridge. What colour do you think reflects her personality?"
Harry looked around the room, then knew. "That one," he said, pointing his wand a dull greyish-pink colour.
"Good, now get rid of it!"
Harry did just that. Then a question popped into his head. "Which colour is yours?"
"Well, Harry, see if you can guess."
Harry looked about. "I can't see anything."
"Look closer."
Suddenly he saw a wisp of colour hiding in a corner. It was the same blue as Aubretia's eyes, and the same as something else Harry could not quite remember. "That one!"
Aubretia nodded. "Good. Remus said you were a quick learner."
Harry's head snapped around. "You know Professor Lupin?"
"Yes."
"How? Are you -"
"In the Order? Yes. That's why I took this job."
"Did you -"
"Yes. I knew Sirius. He was a great man." Aubretia looked away from Harry. "I've been keeping you too long. Ten - no, fifteen points will be given for Gryffindor in return for this. Thank you, Harry. See you in class tomorrow."
"But-" began Harry, but Aubretia cut him off.
"Go back to your friends. I'll speak to you again another time."
Harry gave up trying to reason with his obviously stubborn teacher. "All right." He began to leave the room.
As his had touched the door, Harry heard Aubretia say, "Wait a moment, Harry." He turned to see her point her wand at one of the trunks. "Accio!" she ordered, and a book flew towards her. "You might like to read this in your spare time. You might find it interesting." She handed the book to Harry. "Now, go."
Harry went.